Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the bond strength of a composite to dentin treated with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser and different bonding systems.Materials and Methods: Thirty-three extracted human teeth were longitudinally sectioned to obtain 65 specimens. After coronary dentin exposure and smear layer standardization, samples were divided into 5 groups (n = 13) and etched according to the Er,Cr:YSGG laser (20 Hz, 600 µm tip, 30%/30% air/water spray) parameters used: G1 (no laser), G2 (0.25 W), G3 (0.5 W), G4 (0.75 W), and G5 (1.0 W). Then, one sample per group was prepared for SEM observation. The remaining specimens were divided in two subgroups for the application of adhesive systems (Single Bond [3M] and Clearfil SE Bond [Kuraray]) followed by the application of a 5-mm buildup of Z250. The microtensile bond strength (µTBS) was determined after 24 h of storage in water at 37°C. The obtained data were compared using the two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p <= 0.05).Results: No statistical differences were found among the samples treated with Single Bond. The µTBS was significantly lower for samples treated with Clearfil and laser with powers over 0.75 W. SEM observation showed that the morphological characteristics of the irradiated dentin were similar for all parameters used.Conclusion: The bonding effectiveness of adhesives to laser-irradiated dentin may be influenced not only by the structural substrate alterations induced by the laser, but also by the characteristics of the adhesive employed.

Purpose: It is well known that fluorosis may be manifested by abnormal mineralization in teeth. The Er:YAG laser has seen increasing use for treatment of root surfaces exposed to periodontitis. However, there is little information regarding the effects of the Er:YAG laser on root cementum of fluorosed teeth. Therefore, this in-vitro study aimed to evaluate and compare root surface changes following Er:YAG laser irradiation of fluorosed and nonfluorosed teeth.Materials and Methods: Thirty periodontally healthy fluorosed and nonfluorosed root specimens were irradiated using an Er:YAG laser (2.94 µm wavelength) at 140 mJ/pulse and 10 Hz under a surface-cooling water spray. Examination by SEM was performed to assess laser-induced ultrastructural changes in the root surfaces. Statistical analysis and dichotomous expression of root surface changes in each of the groups were performed for intra- and intergroup comparisons.Results: Specimens in both treatment groups exhibited evidence of mild thermally induced change, primarily surface melting. Other surface alterations noted in both treatment groups included surface etching, intermittent smear layer, exposure of collagen tufts, and open dentinal tubules. Intergroup comparisons using the dichotomous data indicated that except for melting of root surface, other undesirable morphological changes were found to be more common in nonfluorosed than fluorosed root specimens.Conclusion: Results of the present study suggest that undesirable morphological changes were similar for both the HF and HNF groups. The results also indicate that further in vitro studies are required, using a variety of lower energy settings, before clinical trials can be initiated that would evaluate the use of the Er:YAG laser for treatment of teeth with fluorosed root structure. Also, observation of etched root surfaces with smear layer after laser irradiation may necessitate additional chemical acid etching for composite restoration for treatment of root caries if indicated.

Purpose: In vitro studies, animal models, and human case reports all suggest that the application of low-intensity laser accelerates orthodontic dental movement. This first prospective parallel cohort study was designed to study the effect of therapeutic laser on the time required to complete a corrective non-extraction orthodontic treatment in patients with crowding.Materials and Methods: Sixty consecutive patients with crowding 5 mm or less, ages between 20 and 30 years old, comprised the initial sample. The first group of 30 made up the experimental group C-NE-LA (crowding-non-extraction-laser) and the next 30 patients formed the control group C-NE-NL (crowding - nonextraction - no laser).The final sample was reduced to 23 in the experimental group and 22 in the control group. The experimental group was irradiated with Photon Lase III at a wavelength of 830 nm, energy 80 J, for 22 s along the dental vestibular surface, and 22 s along the palatal surface of the teeth, 24 h after the first control, and then at every appointment. The control group received identical treatment appliances but was not laser irradiated. The outcome variable was: days to complete the treatment.Results: The average duration of the treatment in the laser group was 398.4 ± 87.8 days while for the control group it was 565.5 ± 130.3. The difference is statistically significant (p < 0.00001). The average reduction in the treatment duration achieved by laser application was 167 days (30% less).Conclusion: Low-intensity laser applied during orthodontic treatment to correct dental crowding, under the protocol described here, accelerated the dental movement, reducing the average time of treatment by 30%.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Er;Cr:YSGG laser on the tensile strength of composite resin to dentin in comparison with bur-cut cavities.Materials and Methods: Twelve extracted caries-free human third molars were selected to prepare 24 samples (n = 24). The teeth were cut under the occlusal pit and fissure level and randomly divided into 2 groups. Six cavities were prepared with a diamond fissure bur No.1 and the other group with Er;Cr:YSGG laser with the pre-settings recommended by the manufacturer (power: 3.5 W, 65% water, 55% air). Then, all the cavities were restored using composite resin. The teeth were sectioned longitudally with an Isomet saw and the dumbbellshaped specimens were prepared. The samples were attached to special jigs, and the tensile bond strength of the two groups was measured in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The results were analyzed with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.Results: The means and standard deviations of tensile bond strength of bur-cut and laser-ablated dentin were 5.04 ± 0.93 and 4.85 ± 0.93 MPa, resp. There was no significant difference between the tensile bond strength in lased and bur-cut cavities (p = 0.5).Conclusion: There is little difference in the tensile bond strength of composite resin in laser-prepared vs burprepared cavities. According to the results, the Er;Cr:YSGG laser technique can be an alternative to the conventional methods for preparing cavities.

Purpose: The treatment of large, deep-seated vascular lesions in the orofacial region is often very challenging. The Nd:YAG laser has already proved to be an effective mode of treatment for vascular lesions. Our goal was to determine the efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US) guided Nd:YAG laser treatment of deep-seated vascular lesions.Patients and Methods: A prospective study was conducted in which 9 patients with deep vascular lesions in the orofacial region were treated under local anaesthesia with US-guided photocoagulation (PhC) using the Nd:YAG laser. The same US probe as used for US-guided aspiration biopsy was used for the procedure, with the fiber-optic cable inserted into the needle mounted on the US probe. The needle was then inserted directly into the lesion, its position clearly visible on the screen. Photocoagulation was then performed in a systematic sequence under US control, until the whole vascular lesion was coagulated. Follow-up was conducted in all of the cases, time until resolution of swelling was recorded, as were also postoperative complications.Results: In patients undergoing intralesional PhC, there was no tissue sloughing as the surface epithelium was not injured. Swelling was present for about one week. There were no cases of inadvertent bleeding. Three patients required two sessions of US-guided PhC. One patient developed a local intraoral infection, which was controlled with broad spectrum oral antibiotics.Conclusion: US-guided laser photocoagulation is a safe and effective tool for the treatment of large vascular lesions.

Purpose: To compare in vitro the surface and mineral changes of enamel treated with acidulated phosphate fluoride gel (APF), CO2 laser, and a combination of both.Materials and Methods: Forty extracted maxillary single-rooted teeth were randomly selected. Roots were resected and teeth were divided into 4 groups (n = 10). Group 1: control; group 2: APF gel applied; group 3: irradiated with CO2 laser; group 4: irradiated with CO2 laser and APF gel applied. A single application of APF gel (pH 3.5) was performed using a brush for 4 min. A pulsed CO2 laser with 10.6 µm wavelength was used with the following parameters:1 W, 50-µs pulse duration, 1-Hz repetition rate, and a 0.8-mm beam diameter. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of all specimens was performed to determine the mineral changes, and surface changes were compared using SEM.Results: XRD analysis of groups 1 and 2 showed only the presence of hydroxyapatite, whereas group 3, which was irradiated with CO2 laser, showed the presence of hydroxyapatite along with calcium hydrogen phosphate. Group 4 showed the presence of fluorapatite along with hydroxyapatite. SEM analysis revealed more fluoride retention in group 4 than in all the other groups. The SEM images confirm that fluoride application after CO2 laser irradiation presented a surface with fewer craters than the surface irradiated with CO2 alone.The XRD analysis revealed the presence of fluorapatite in groups treated with CO2 and APF gel, which was not to be seen in any other groups.Conclusion: The combination of laser and fluoride treatment showed increased fluoride uptake, with the formation of fluorapatite. The adjunct use of these two treatments may be effective in preventing caries.

Inadequate vestibular depth is a very common finding. Although techniques such as periosteal fenestration have long been used, it is more painful and uncomfortable for the patient, and postoperative bleeding is also found to be very high. Lasers have become established for oral surgical procedures due to their high absorption by oral tissues and their ability to cause rapid hemostasis. In addtion, postoperative application of low intensity laser has shown to promote healing and provide desirable results with little discomfort to the patient. Hence, the purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of surgical and laser-assisted periodontal surgical procedures in the management of inadequate vestibular depth.

Occurrence of hair in the oral cavity is an extremely rare phenomenon. In personal communication, we have never seen or heard of hair being detected in the oral cavity. Even Julia Pastrana, the famous "Bearded Lady" of the 1800s, had no record of oral hair, although her entire body was covered with hair. She suffered from excessive gingival hyperplasia, but apparently no hair existed within the mouth. A thorough review of literature reveals only four reported cases of oral hair. The present case was of a young man who, on oral examination, revealed a single black hair on the floor of the mouth near the lingual frenulum. Because of the extreme rarity of such cases, it is interesting as well as important to report and further study their relevance.

Although gingival curettage is the conventionally recognized procedure for management of inflamed tissue, readily available and economical diode lasers - the most commonly used lasers - help in nonsurgical management of gingival inflammatory changes. A case report is described here in which diode laser is used to treat puberty-induced gingival enlargement. The case report shows a new approach to managing puberty gingivitis, which commonly shows inflammatory enlargement that does not completely regress after puberty is over. The enlargement is usually an exaggerated response to local plaque due to high amount of hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. The changes are relatively nonspecific, with color and contour changes, and are associated with bleeding on mild stimulation. Diode lasers are the best option to eradicate bacteria from gingival pockets and achieve reliable longterm results.